The effects of deeds of previous and present birth definitely bear fruit.

The effects of deeds of previous and present birth definitely bear fruit. No action or effort made by mankind goes without bearing fruit. In Ramayana it's mentioned that in this universe deeds are of paramount importance. Whatever a person does, he is rewarded or punished accordingly. In this world no one can give sorrow or happiness to another. Everyone experiences fruits of Their own deeds. Eminent sages and saints, the devoted and the knowledgeable, emperors. ‪Kings, capable persons, brave and courageous have all had to experience the fruit of their own deeds. Shri Rama was exiled to the forest for 14 years. Ravana kidnapped Maa Sita. Bhim had to serve as a cook. Emperor Harish Chandra had to serve as a menial in a cremation ground. Arjun took up the guise of a eunuch to teach dancing to emperor Viratrajs daughter.
Deeds can be good and pious. It can be bad and sinful too. There are so many types of sins mentioned in scriptures that categorising them would be difficult.
Generally sins are commits by mind, speech and body. So one can say there are three kinds of sins, sharirik (physical sins) mansik (mental sins) and vachik (verbal sins). Of these violence (murder) adulatory and stealing are deeds by the physical self. Thoughts of tormenting, oppressing and hurting others, finding faults with the virtuous and having ill feeling for the innocent are sins committed by mind. Telling lies, speaking harshly, and speaking ill of others sins committed by speech. By indulging in these one creates problems for others and for one self. They means unhappiness for everyone.
In 18 Puranas it's said that two things are significant. Thoughtfulness of others is a virtue and to hurt others is a sin. One must act keeping in mind that one is vulnerable to both.
In Markandaya Purana it is said that thorn causes pain at one point only. However the fruit that emerges from sin keeps pricking both, mind and body constantly.
In the Prasharsmriti it is said that if one committees sins it should not be concealed. By concealing suffering increases. The effect may continue through seven births making one leper, impotent or unhappy. Irrespective whether big or small it must be confessed. Thereby it's eliminated just as the disease is cured through medical treatment.
In Mahabharata its said that the one honestly repents having committed the sin is absolved of it.
In Shiva Purana it is said that repentance is the ideal remedy to counter the sin. Through repentance one can be absolved of all sins. If repentance doesn't work then only solution is to observe penance.
Om Namah Shivaya!